O’Connor was on Monday night suspended until August 28 for failing to attend last week’s Rugby World Cup squad announcement and team photo, the ban also ruling the goalkicking winger out of the Australian Barbarians’ clash with Canada on the Gold Coast on Friday night.
A repentant O’Connor was also slugged with a $10,000 suspended fine.
His axing sparked a backline reshuffle to be announced on Tuesday and it appears Faingaa will be the big beneficiary with a promotion to outside centre and Adam Ashley-Cooper shifting to O’Connor’s right wing.
That’s where they lined up before the media were shut out of a Ballymore training session where O’Connor was running with Barbarians players.
Even before the Australian Rugby Union was to bring down its judgment on O’Connor, coach Robbie Deans seemed to have his mind made up.
Speaking on Monday morning, seasoned hooker Stephen Moore admitted a one-match ban would hurt the Wallabies’ prospects of ending a 10-year Tri Nations drought.
“We’d love to have James playing on the weekend,” Moore said. “He’s an important part of our team, that’s for sure, on the field. You’d rather have him on the field than not.”
Alas, the 21-year-old is out and Faingaa looks in, with the Queensland midfielder and defensive linchpin having already put himself on the verge of a cherished start with an excellent cameo off the bench in the 14-9 defeat of South Africa in Durban on August 13.
A strong display, cutting down the world’s best centre-pairing of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith with his trademark low tackles, would put the 24-year-old in calculations for a start in the World Cup opener against Italy on September 11.
Faingaa played at both inside and outside centre during the Reds’ Super Rugby-winning campaign but Deans looks set to leave Pat McCabe at No.12 against the All Blacks.
The versatile Ashley-Cooper has been a Mr Fix-It since he made his Test debut in 2005 when Eddie Jones pulled him out of the Subiaco Oval crowd to replace a dazed Elton Flatley.
His utility value, and proven big-match ability on the wing, has saved Deans an awkward call to bring in World Cup omission Lachie Turner as a specialist finisher.
Ashley-Cooper was out of sorts in a variety of positions for the battling Brumbies this year but has enjoyed his return to the Wallabies at No.13.
However he admitted there was a lot riding on Saturday night’s clash for him, with the World Cup just a fortnight away and specialist outside centre Rob Horne making his comeback for the Barbarians.
“It’s important for me this week as history’s shown selection is never guaranteed, so it’s a very important game for me leading into a World Cup,” said Ashley-Cooper, who has a knack of scoring tries against New Zealand.
“The squad has been boosted by a few returning from injury and Rob Horne is an excellent outside centre so he’s certainly going to push the boundaries there.”
Ashley-Cooper and McCabe were overwhelmed by Nonu and Smith in the 30-14 defeat in Auckland this month and the 55-Test utility back warned of the All Blacks midfield, particularly with Sonny-Bill Williams expected to be on the bench.
“You certainly have to be on your game defensively to shut the likes of them down,” he said. “They’re dangerous no matter what.
“We have to be at our best to compete with the best.”
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Ostracized is not a term I would have used. More like being made accountable for his actions. A line needed to be drawn in the sand and that's been done. The gelling part is over to Robbie & James as Captain. Often through adversity, like the loss of key personnel, the team gets stronger by drawing strength from each other. As I say how RD & JH go about this is up to them. I'm still concerned at the size of our centres. Here's hoping they both have a blinder.
jimmymac
Guest
aac not defensive minded!!!! its the strongest part of his game, when was the last time you seen him rolled over? did you see his goal line defence earlier in the tri-nations? quade is by far and away the weakest defender in the wallaby backline
Gpc
Guest
I would love to see Mitchell play, but have u seen him on the news? He's looking a little heavy at the moment. Not suprising though after that injury.
wal
Guest
Drop Aac and put AF in, Aac is not a defensive minded player, he's the weak link, as for mr Joc replacement put mitchell in...problem solved
niwdEyaJ
Guest
how do you get a team to "gel" by ostracizing one player? especially when it impacts the performance of the team as a whole?? the good outcome in all of this is AF will hopefully get his shot at a starting spot and if he shines as I hope he does then AAC will struggle to get back in the XV...
niwdEyaJ
Guest
don't think anyone is out of position - mccabe has been solid at 12, AF has always been 13 and although AAC ususally plays 13, he's always been a utility wing/fullback... he had blinders in all three positions last year but unfortunately not looking the goods in 2011. having said that, I agree with you re: returning stars, particularly Barnes who has now played a number of club games and is apparently in good form. well, if that's the case he should be tested against the ABs - off the bench in the 2nd half for McCabe when the game opens up...
Johnno
Guest
How is A.Faiangaa or AAC out of position or Mcabee to.
Dave
Guest
Must be close to the weakest backline fielded in the professional era if thats what we go with... 3 players completely out of position, taking on the worlds best side in the last test before the WC. If our returning stars are fit enough to play against Canada, they should play in the real match. The combinations need time, and we have none left
Danno1
Guest
I wonder what impact this has on the brand James O'Connor as opposed to the rugby player? Or was the brand James O'Connor damaged when he started referring to himself that way? I wonder if the ARU have considered that the profile of brand JOC is to haunt swank/wanky Eastern Suburbs hotels and get sloshed on premium lager and expensive alcopops, and his loyalty to brand JOC outweighs his loyalty to team Australia. Either way a talented tool that deserves to miss a game and needs to remember he is a human not a product.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
In my opinion leaving him out is the only course of action to take IF Robbie is serious about the RWC and getting this team to gel. True it may hurt our chances for the Tri Nations but short term pain for long term gain is sometimes what's required. And IMHO depriving Glory Boy JOC of his chance of glory is good for him and good for the team. Seems even after all this time that he still needs to learn that the Team comes first. He needs to be sat on his arse and I'm puzzled why someone hasn't done it before now. And ...... wouldn't Wallaby fans go nuts IF AF turns out to be just what we're looking for at 13? This is his chance to shine. Come on Anthony give it your best.
niwdEyaJ
Guest
Really bad choice of penalty by the ARU... leaving O'Connor out penalises the whole team, not just O'Connor. I'd let him play but fine him $29 grand and use it to give a grand each to the other members of the squad who he's let down... what is a $10 grand "suspended" fine anyway? the guy earns buckets of cash, $10 grand is barely a slap on the wrist and leaving him out of the brisbane test penalises the team as much as anything else - not exactly a good formulae for team spirit!
Ash
Guest
I mean disrupted lol. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Ash
Guest
Backline reshuffle = continuity lost. Deans is better to replace O'Connor with a winger and not add to the already disruptive backline. If he does move AAC to the wing it's curtains for the Wallabies this weekend. I hope I'm wrong- but it's my gut feeling. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Damo
Guest
Yes Nates, might be some Blacks stopped in tracks, too. Jimmy might have presented a gift for Deans - another depth checking game. It will be the first understrength (albeit by only one goalkicking playmaker) side Deans has picked since Samoa. Great test for the W backs and reserve kickers, against NZ A team. This may be the test that makes or breaks the Wallaby spirit.
nathan
Guest
let's see if A faingaa rushes up on D again, might be some gaps for the AB backs